Kumashiro learned that common sense means something different everywhere you go. When Kevin started his first teaching job, he wanted to make a big impact on children. Kevin learned that common sense in the United States to be different then in Nepal. He used the knowledge that he was taught from post secondary school to create a positive environment for his students. Kevin was taught by the people of Nepal that common sense was different than that of his home country. There was a lot to be learned, which seemed to be expected in a forgein country. For example the water fountain was dirty which meant that it needed to be cleaned (our common sense). In Nepal the water fountain would be left dirty because the water fountain was used for many purposes and got dirty quickly.

Common sense is everywhere. It is not just in school, work or your home life. Kumashiro had planned to create a positive environment for her students to feel happy and comfortable. Allowing everyone to sit with mix gender which seems to be common sense in the United States; however, in Nepal, boys and girls sat on opposite sides of the room. “I brought different assumptions, expectations, and values to the school. It was easy for me as an outsider looking in, to raise questions about the purpose or effectiveness of many of these practices.” (Page 2)

It is important to understand common sense because it is meant to be a way of thinking that is simple so everyone can understand the outcome. Sometimes common sense is a form of practical decision-making, it can help give people the ability to imagine the outcome and the possible consequences. It can stop some of us from making irrational mistakes and makes it easier to make choices on what to do. This can help us learn from our mistakes. We can decide to follow our own path, or others; this teaches us and gives us more opportunities to develop our  common sense knowledge. When we understand and use common sense it can make life easier.

Read the article: The Problem of Common Sense

Think about: What is common sense? Why is it important to understand common sense?